Antonio Blakeney (1st R) of Jiangsu Dragons shoots during the 29th round match between Beijing Royal Fighters and Jiangsu Dragons at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Jiangsu Dragons came from behind to defeat the Beijing Royal Fighters 94-89, while the Tianjin Pioneers overcame the Zhejiang Lions 94-83 in the 29th round of the 2022-23 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league regular season on Thursday.
Beijing opened the game with a 3-pointer from Yu Changdong. Antonio Blakeney answered with three 3-pointers to help Jiangsu lead the first quarter 28-19.
Making a comeback with a 14-2 run and a 10-2 run, Beijing led the first half 51-46.
Beijing expanded the advantage to eight points to go into the final quarter. However, a pair of free throws from Devin Williams helped Jiangsu cut the deficit to one point.
With one minute and seven seconds left, Liu Zhixuan's key 3-pointer helped Jiangsu turn the tide. The stable performance of Liu and Williams on the free throw line secured the victory for Jiangsu.
Blakeney notched a game-high 28 points, Williams clinched 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Jiangsu. Yu and Zhang scored 17 points respectively for Beijing.
In another game on Thursday, the Tianjin Pioneers led the first quarter 23-22 and built a seven-point cushion before the half break. In the third quarter, the Zhejiang Lions managed to cut the deficit to three points but that was not enough.
Lin Tingqian scored a game-high 30 points, and Quinndary Weatherspoon added 20 points for Tianjin. ■
Trae Golden (front C) of Beijing Royal Fighters goes up for a lay up during the 29th round match between Beijing Royal Fighters and Jiangsu Dragons at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
Trae Golden (R) of Beijing Royal Fighters breaks through during the 29th round match between Beijing Royal Fighters and Jiangsu Dragons at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
Trae Golden (C) of Beijing Royal Fighters goes up for a lay up during the 29th round match between Beijing Royal Fighters and Jiangsu Dragons at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
Stephon Marbury, head coach of Beijing Royal Fighters, instructs players during the 29th round match between Beijing Royal Fighters and Jiangsu Dragons at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
Terry Cummings (R) of Zhejiang Lions shoots during the 29th round match between Tianjin Pioneers and Zhejiang Lions at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in north China's Tianjin, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Quinndary Weatherspoon (C) of Tianjin Pioneers breaks through during the 29th round match between Tianjin Pioneers and Zhejiang Lions at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in north China's Tianjin, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Kyle Wiltjer (R) of Zhejiang Lions shoots during the 29th round match between Tianjin Pioneers and Zhejiang Lions at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in north China's Tianjin, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Terry Cummings (R) of Zhejiang Lions shoots during the 29th round match between Tianjin Pioneers and Zhejiang Lions at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in north China's Tianjin, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Kyle Wiltjer (R) of Zhejiang Lions shoots during the 29th round match between Tianjin Pioneers and Zhejiang Lions at the 2022-2023 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in north China's Tianjin, March 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
